Ventile® – peak performance through the ages

In 1953, Edmund Hilary and Sherpa Tenzing Norway were the first people to reach the summit of Everest. Nearly 50 years later, Sir Ranulph Fiennes attempted to reach the North Pole solo. But beyond being iconic explorers of their time, what makes Hilary and Fiennes’ adventures so inextricably linked?

While technology surrounding navigation and performance wear has evolved incredibly over the last half century, Fiennes and Hilary both wore Ventile® jackets when embarking on their missions. Surprisingly, Ventile® fabric is one of very few technologies that has stood the test of time to be used in its original form. The fabric was first used for clothing during WWII, when it was used by the RAF to extend the survival window of crew who landed in the freezing waters.
Made of 100% cotton, this breathable and naturally waterproof fabric has since clothed many iconic explorers facing extreme Arctic conditions. Fiennes himself admitted that ‘alas, no modern material is completely breathable’ and so Ventile® cotton is ‘still the best compromise’ for polar expeditions.

This incredible fabric championed by the greatest explorers of our time was the inspiration behind Musto’s new Limited Edition Ventile® Parka. Combined with phenomenally warm PrimaLoft® and goose down insulation, are parka strives to be the most comfortable performance jacket you’ll ever own. With only 100 men’s and 50 women’s jackets available, this exclusive parka truly is one of a kind. Invest in a piece of history and be part of an expedition legacy.